Pilgrims expresses surprise paid toilets

Hundreds of pigrims visiting this temple town today expressed surprise over converting the free-toilet facility available at the Integrate Mattuthavani Bus stand in this city into paid-facility.
The free-toilets put up by the officials, as per the rules, when the bus stand was inagurated had been converted into paid toilets following instructions from the Mayor Rajan Chellappa.
The objective was to fill the coffers of the corporation, Anandan an advocate and PIL litigant alleged.
There were 16 toilets in the bus stand, said a sanitary official. He said he had suggested to the Commissioner to convert at least some toilets near the parking area as free toilet for the benefit of the poor, it was under the consideration of senior officials.

Murugan, another RTI activist, said as per corporation rules at least two free toilets should be provided in each end of the bus stand. Now those who could not afford were getting down from the bus and easing themselves behind the bus, making the bus stand one of the stinkiest bus stands in the state, he said.
Officials said some toilets had been closed due to scarcity of water.